Most homeowners file their first roof insurance claim without knowing what to say, what to document, or what to avoid. This guide covers all of it — and PeakShield can be with you every step of the way.
The most common mistake Florida homeowners make is calling their insurance company before documenting the damage or getting a professional inspection. The order matters.
Call PeakShield first. We inspect your roof and produce adjuster-ready documentation before your carrier ever sends their adjuster. This gives you a professional damage record from day one — rather than relying entirely on the carrier’s adjuster’s assessment, which may undervalue or miss damage.
Florida Statute 627.70132 gives homeowners one year from the date of the storm event to file an initial claim. You also have three years to file supplemental claims for additional damage discovered after the initial filing.
Don’t wait. The sooner damage is documented, the clearer the connection to the storm event — and the stronger your claim. Delay gives carriers grounds to argue pre-existing condition.
Before any cleanup, take photos of all visible damage from ground level — missing or displaced shingles, debris on the roof, and any interior water damage. Use our storm damage checklist as a guide. Do not attempt to access the roof yourself. If there is active water intrusion, place buckets and towels to prevent interior damage spreading, but don’t make permanent repairs before your claim is filed.
Contact us before calling your carrier. A PeakShield inspector comes to your property — same day when possible — and produces a complete adjuster-ready damage report. This report becomes your primary evidence in the claim. Read more about how we document damage and what our inspection covers.
Call the claims number on your policy or log in to your carrier’s online portal. Have your policy number, date of the storm event, and a brief description of the visible damage ready. You will receive a claim number — write it down. An adjuster will be assigned and will contact you to schedule an inspection.
When the carrier schedules the adjuster’s visit, let PeakShield know the date and time. We attend the inspection alongside you. Our inspector walks the adjuster through the documented damage, answers technical questions, and ensures all items from our damage report are included in the adjuster’s assessment. This single step significantly increases settlement values.
Your carrier will issue an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or summary of coverage. Review it against PeakShield’s documented damage scope. If the settlement is lower than expected or items are missing, do not accept it as final — contact us immediately. We prepare a supplemental claim to address any discrepancies. If your claim is denied, see our guide on denial reversals.
Once approved, we coordinate the full roof replacement or storm damage repair through our vetted contractor network. We work directly with your carrier on any remaining documentation and ensure the installation scope matches your approved claim. Your 8-Year PeakShield workmanship warranty is issued at completion.
The words you use when filing your claim matter. Certain phrases create documentation that can be used to minimize or deny your claim. Stick to factual observations and let our professional damage report do the detailed work.
Florida law gives you the right to select any licensed roofing contractor for insurance claim repairs — you are not required to use the carrier’s preferred contractor. If your carrier suggests or pressures you toward a specific company, you can decline. PeakShield will coordinate directly with your carrier to ensure our scope matches the approved claim.
Citizens — Florida’s state-backed insurer of last resort — has its own inspection protocols and claim timelines that differ from private carriers. If you’re a Citizens policyholder, the filing process has some important differences.
Read our dedicated Citizens Insurance claims guide for specific guidance on their inspection process, timelines, and how to maximize your chances of approval as a Citizens policyholder.